Cre/loxP-transgenics

In this article, we review how the discovery and use of the Cre/loxP recombination system has revolutionized researcher’s ability to cell-specifically delete or overexpress a given gene and determine its biological roles during development and in the adult organism. As well, the use of the Cre/loxP system has enabled researchers to perform subtle genetic mutations in the genome such as the introduction of point mutations as well as more global chromosomal rearrangements, inversions, and duplications. Through the use of drug-inducible systems such as the use of hormonal regulation of the Cre (cyclization recombination) recombinase or use of the Cre/loxP system in unison with tetracycline derivatives and the tTA/rtTA-tet(o) system has enabled researchers to temporally as well as cell specifically manipulate gene function in model organisms such as the mouse